MUF-16 for Point-Source Carbon Dioxide Capture

MUF-16 (MUF = Massey University Framework) is a next generation solid state adsorbent for point source carbon capture that is being commercialised by Captivate Technology. MUF-16 is a metal-organic framework (MOF) that is pelletized and deployed in adsorbent columns. Industrial flue gases and biogas can separated into CO2-rich and CO2-light streams using vacuum pressure-swing adsorption (VPSA) processes.<br><br>Following patenting and publication in the scientific literature, Captivate Technology has focused on de-risking the use of MUF-16 for separating CO2, determining its performance in real-world scenarios, and scaling up to pilot demonstration at industrial sites across New Zealand. De-risking showed that the combination of selectivity, capacity, tolerance to water and impurities and ease of manufacture, and cost, makes MUF-16 an ideal adsorbent for CO2 capture from flue gas streams. The US Department of Energy targets for purity (95%) and recovery (90%) can be exceeded using simple engineering, with high productivity and low energy consumption.<br><br>Solid state adsorbent technology for carbon capture such as that provided by Captivate Technology requires one quarter to one third of the energy required to capture one tonne of CO2 using chemical absorption, the incumbent process used to separate CO2 from a mixture of gases [1]. The combination of MUF-16 in a VPSA process provides very low CAPEX and OPEX costs for industrial users as demonstrated by commercial costs of analogous modular carbon capture systems. This opens up carbon capture beyond large scale applications that require economies of scale, significant CAPEX and government support. Captivate Technology provides a pathway for modular carbon capture that can be applied at small scale and large scale, economically.